So– you’ve been considering GoHighLevel, huh? Maybe you’ve seen the glowing evaluations. Become aware of the all-in-one magic. Review just how it might change your CRM, your e-mail marketing tools, your sales funnel builder, your left kidney– joking (kind of) GoHighLevel Cookies Policy.
I get it. The assurance is tempting: one powerful control panel to rule them all. And if you’re running an agency, the concept of enhancing every little thing under one roof covering seems like an efficiency desire. But let me quit you right there … because I fell for the buzz. And I want someone had actually grabbed me by the shoulders and said: “Don’t do it.”
In this write-up, I’m walking you via my rollercoaster of a trip with GoHighLevel– from enthusiastic starts to a total 180. If you’re seriously taking into consideration making the switch, read this very first. It’ll save you time, cash, and a truckload of headaches.
Let’s Back Up: Why I Even Considered GoHighLevel
You ever get that crave something brand-new? Like when your favored set of shoes unexpectedly feels … boring? That’s what happened to me. I would certainly been making use of Keap (you could remember it as Infusionsoft) for years– five, to be exact. And truthfully, it worked excellent.
I mean, Keap took care of every little thing: e-mail marketing, CRM, automations, funnels, invoicing. It just clicked with the method I ran my organization. Sure, it wasn’t best, however it was trusted. Like a good old Toyota– you’re not extoling it, yet it gets you where you require to go without breaking down.
So why did I begin considering the showy new Tesla parked next door?
Because of shiny things syndrome. Yep. It’s real. And if you’re a business owner like me, you recognize specifically what I’m discussing. When all the Facebook groups, YouTubers, and SaaS bloggers are humming about a “game-changer,” you start questioning if you’re losing out. And prior to I understood it, I was deep-diving into GoHighLevel trials and thinking, “Maybe it’s time.”
Big. Blunder.
The Rate of Switching: What It Truly Took
Let’s not sugarcoat this– moving your firm’s whole technology pile is brutal. I want I could inform you I simply clicked a switch and voilà, I was working on GoHighLevel by the weekend break. Nope.
Below’s a glance of what I in fact went through:
- Exported over 20,000 contacts from Keap (manually).
- Rebuilt a dozen automations from the ground up– points like onboarding, e-mail sequences, lead nurturing.
- Moved every customer note, job standing, and funnel over.
- Establish landing pages. Again.
- Reconnected settlement integrations like Stripe.
- Used near 40 hours adjusting settings and screening workflows.
And allow’s not neglect the psychological energy it drew out of me. You know that exhausted, brain-fried feeling after looking at your screen for too lengthy? That was my life for 2 weeks straight.
I told myself, “This pain will certainly deserve it.” It had not been.
When Everything Began Crumbling
At first, it appeared like things were working. Automations were shooting. E-mails were heading out. Funnels were live. I breathed out a little.
Then– mayhem.
One morning I got up to a headache: 171 emails had been sent out to the incorrect team of calls. Completely unimportant web content. 3 days in a row. And not the same people either– various batches each time. I was alarmed.
I tore through the automation settings, removed and restored sequences, even reached out to support. Their feedback? “Server concern.” Uh … what?
No resolution. No seriousness. No responsibility. And the e-mails simply kept heading out like a rogue robot on auto-pilot.
At that point, I was done relying on GoHighLevel with anything crucial. My audience mattered excessive to risk another error.
Negative UX = Slow Fatality by Stress
Let me paint you a photo. You’re attempting to fine-tune a workflow. Simple job, right? Other than now you’re 12 clicks deep in menus that don’t make sense. Labels aren’t clear. Settings are hidden in position no person would logically look.
Their funnel builder? Do not even obtain me started. You have to access 3 different arrangement panels– scattered throughout the user interface– to update a single funnel.
It seemed like assembling IKEA furniture without directions. I wanted to enjoy the versatility, yet everything concerning the individual experience made me feel like I needed a developer resting beside me 24/7.
And this is coming from somebody who had actually been running automations and developing funnels for several years. If I was battling, I can not imagine what it resembles for someone just getting started.
Shock Charges and Shady Pricing
Right here’s something they don’t promote plainly: GoHighLevel charges per email you send via their system.
Yep. In addition to your $297/month agency plan, there are stealthy little charges that start piling up. I observed random $10 charges turning up– after that $20 … then $50. Ends up, I was acquiring shipment charges through Mailgun, their email provider.
So what appeared like a budget-friendly, flat-rate platform? Not so much. By the end of the month, I was investing more than I did on Keap– and getting way much less dependability in return.
That really felt deceitful. And it’s a dealbreaker for me GoHighLevel Cookies Policy.
Email Performance Tanked– And That Was the Last Straw
If you do any type of e-mail marketing, you understand how crucial deliverability is. You invest years supporting your checklist, building trust, fine-tuning subject lines. So when your open rates drop off a high cliff, it’s like seeing your effort obtain flushed down the tubes.
That’s exactly what occurred when I switched over to GoHighLevel.
My open prices dropped from around 35% to barely scratching 10%. I tweaked subject lines, verified domains, heated up IPs– you call it. Still nothing.
Email after email landed in spam or promos folders. And since GoHighLevel relies on third-party deliverability devices (without much advice), I was left playing email live roulette.
At that point, I could not warrant staying. I ended and went back to Keap.
So, Should You Make use of GoHighLevel?
Truthfully? I would not advise it. Not if you’re seeking something secure, intuitive, and trustworthy. There’s too much at risk– your credibility, your customer experience, your profits.
Yet if you’re still curious, at least go in with your eyes wide open. Examination everything. Do not blindly trust the buzz.
Lessons Learned (So You Don’t Repeat My Blunders).
Below’s the fact nobody tells you when you’re chasing after the next “all-in-one” tool:
1. Stick with what works– unless there’s a great reason to change.
Keap had not been showy, yet it was strong. That deserves more than any kind of new feature.
2. Simpleness beats complexity– each time.
An intuitive tool that does 80% well is far better than a Frankenstein platform that does 100% severely.
3. Do not succumb to affordable price– check out the real price.
Review the small print. Inquire about deliverability fees. Know what “unrestricted” actually indicates.
4. Look out for prejudiced testimonials.
A lot of the radiant testimonials available? They’re from associates trying to rack up a compensation. Discover people with absolutely nothing to gain.
5. Pay attention to your digestive tract.
If something really feels off throughout your free trial or onboarding stage– don’t ignore it.
Better Alternatives to Take Into Consideration
If you’re looking for a system that really functions the way it promises, examine these out:.
Keap– My top pick. Fantastic automation, strong deliverability, and fantastic assistance.
GreenRope— All-in-one CRM with great task administration tools for little groups.
HubSpot— Enterprise-grade tools with a refined UX. Perfect if you’re scaling fast.
Monday— More project-focused, yet great for client cooperation and task tracking.
Bonsai— Built for freelancers and creatives. Super clean, incredibly streamlined.
Final Word
Look, I get it. GoHighLevel seems like the response to whatever. And if it functioned perfectly, I ‘d probably be their biggest supporter. Yet it didn’t. And I can not act otherwise.
So prior to you dive into a major movement– or even worse, persuade your customers to do the exact same– breathe. Ask the tough concerns. And think about whether the “all-in-one” desire is worth the real-world trade-offs.
You’ve worked also tough to construct something great. Don’t risk it on a platform that still feels like a beta test.
If you want my two cents? Stick to tools that just function.